Smoke alarms save lives. That’s the message from the Stratford Fire Department during Fire Prevention Week.
“The week is all about promoting fire safety throughout North America,” said Andrew Rogerson, Stratford’s fire inspector. “We want to make sure that everyone has working alarms outside of sleeping areas, so they can lay their head down at night and not worry about a fire. Alarms should be tested at least once a month, replaced every ten years, and installed on all levels of homes.”
The latest statistics from Statistic Canada says in 2021, there were over 21,000 fires reported in the province, with over 8,400 being structure fires. This year’s theme of fire prevention week is smoke alarms, make them work for you. To go along with fire prevention week, fire departments across the country are visiting local schools and children to further drive the message home.
“This year we hired a public educator with the Stratford Fire Department,” Rogerson said. “She is going to all elementary schools in Stratford to promote fire safety and really bring home the fire safe message.”
The City of Stratford was able to get a grant from Enbridge which allows the fire department to be able to assist in ensuring all homes in the city have working alarms.
“If anyone has a concern about their smoke or carbon monoxide alarms they can contact us,” said Rogerson. “ We will be more than happy to come out and do an on-site inspection, free of charge and do what we can to accommodate the needs of the community.”
Fire prevention week is an important initiative that takes place every year, but this years theme really hits close for Rogerson.
“I’ve seen it time and time again,” he said. “I’ve been to calls where early detection has gotten the family out of their home in the event of an emergency. I have also seen some close calls that we have had here in Stratford.”